Lakesider News

Advent Study: Light a Candle for Joy!

In observance of the Advent season, Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost has written four messages based on the four candles of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Read the third message in this series…

“Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart. Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst.” (Zephaniah 3:14, 16b, 17a)

Our granddaughter asked me recently, “Why is there a pink candle in the Advent wreath?” I replied, “The pink candle reminds us that in the midst of the Advent season of reflection and expectation, we’re called to be joyful.” In other words, the church is saying to us, “Lighten up!”

Do you find it hard to be joyful as the days get shorter and we’re bombarded with the daily news of darkness and despair in our communities and in our world? The prophet Zephaniah reminds us to “Rejoice and exult with all your heart.” Why? Because twice in four verses Zephaniah tells us that “The Lord, your God, is in your midst.” These words alone should bring us great joy. No matter where we find ourselves, no matter what happens, God is with us. How much we need to remember that, not just during Advent, but all year long.

As the people looked forward to the coming Messiah, the sermons of John the Baptist sound harsh and judgmental. “Bear fruits worthy of repentance,” John tells his audience. “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” (Luke 3:10-11)

The passage ends with the comment, “So, with many other exhortations, he (John) proclaimed good news to the people.” (3:18) Telling us to be more generous is good news? Yes! Giving is its own reward, as anyone knows who has practiced generosity. Not only is it more blessed to give than to receive, but it also brings us more joy! What a revolution might take place within our hearts and lives if we choose to make generosity our lifestyle. What might happen to our need for security and control?

Will you join me in committing to at least one simple act of generosity each day? Will you put Jesus first in your life, others second, and yourself third? If so, I promise that you will find joy, not only during this Advent season, but every day. Light a candle for joy, for God is in our midst. 

– Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print

Related News